AFSI Strongly Opposes Statement Issued by AIPAC's Howard Kohr
As reported in Arutz Sheva and numerous other sources today, Howard Kohr, AIPAC's CEO expressed strong support for the establishment of a Palestinian state during his address to the organization's 2018 conference in Washington DC Sunday night, warning that the Jewish state will never live securely "until she is at peace with all her neighbors".
AFSI is strongly opposed to Howard Kohr's statement. His words reflects the fantasy that sanctioning a Palestinian state will put a stop to the ongoing acts of terror Palestinians commit against the Jewish people. In this fantasy will there be an end to the financial rewards given to those who do commit these heinous acts? Kohr fails to mention the Palestinians continued refusal to recognize Israel as a legitimate state. Does the fact that Mahmoud Abbas brainwashes his people and lavishly spends on his needs (a $50 million presidential plane) while neglecting to take care of his people illustrate that statehood is the right solution?
It's disturbing that Kohr fails to see the critical facts on why a two-state plan IS NOT THE SOLUTION. His comment in reference to Israel, "until she is at peace with all her neighbors," clearly puts the blame on Israel and for a leader of such a high-profile pro-Israel advocacy group to state this....we think it's disgraceful.
"We must all work toward that future: two states for two peoples," said Kohr. "One Jewish with secure and defensible borders, and one Palestinian with its own flag and its own future. Today that dream seems remote. This is tragic."
Mr. Kohr, you are dreaming. Your dream is remote because you failed to state support for Israel as a nation under the constant threat of terror. Your endorsement of a Palestinian state rewards terrorists and this is not a dream - it's a nightmare. Maybe you need to go back to sleep, dream a different dream, and wake up. | | AFSI Supports Yossi Dagan's Letter of Opposition
Shomron Regional Council Chairman's Office Fax: 03-9066407 / Landline: 03-9066400 1 Derech Barkan P.O. Box 1 Barkan, Israelbbq
March 5, 2018 Dear leaders of the AIPAC family, Shalom from Israel. We are – speaking for all Israelis - extremely appreciative of AIPAC's devoted efforts to strengthen, protect and promote the U.S.-Israel relationship. The Hebrew accolade is, "Kol haKavod!" We do however note that the AIPAC talking points are still very much tied to establishment of a Palestinian state (what has been called "the two-state solution"). The AIPAC website also seems to imply that Israel is committed to a two-state solution and that the United States takes this position as well. Please note this assumption has no basis in fact: The sovereign entity in Israel is of course the Government of Israel (GOI). The official GOI Guidelines are available to the public (e.g. here:http://www.pmo.gov.il/IsraelGov/GovDocuments/Pages/kaveyesod.aspx). As you see, they contain not one word or even hint of support for the "two-state solution". Furthermore, as for the United States, while the previous (February 2015) National Security Strategy report did state that the United States remains "committed to … a two-state solution", it is our understanding that the National Security Strategy currently in effect, as of December 2017, https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/NSS-Final-12-18-2017-0905.pdf does not indicate support for the two-state outcome. This is presumably in an effort not to coerce an American ally, the State of Israel, into an outcome which that ally does not regard as desirable, just or safe. I am astounded as to why such a great, meaningful organization as AIPAC, whose raison d'etre is pro-Israel advocacy in the United States, would represent the positions of the State of Israel (and of the United States) so inaccurately before senior government officials, senators and congressmen, and the general pro-Israel public. The position that AIPAC is representing as that of the State of Israel -- in the AIPAC mission statement and in the AIPAC talking points inter alia -- not only fails to represent Israel properly, it is detrimental to the efforts to achieve dialogue in the Middle East. Therefore, we strongly believe that the AIPAC mission statement and talking points should be updated at this time. This would allow AIPAC to participate even more effectively in Israel's great quest – for survival as an independent, secure, moral, democratic, peaceful Jewish state, benefitting the world in the spirit of Tikun Olam.
Very sincerely, Yossi Dagan Chairman, Shomron Regional Council | | Do Not Sanction the Two-State Solution
AFSI Chairman Mark Langfan's expresses his deep concerns for calls for a two-state peace plan. AIPAC's chairman endorses it and rumors have been circulating for over a week that Trump will unveil a plan offering a two-state solution. The bottom line is this: how can the Palestinians be given a state when they have refused to stop financial compensation to terrorists who commit acts of terror against the Jewish people? This, along with ongoing Palestinian brainwashing, does not make a good recipe for statehood. Furthermore, Trump's rumored plan to sanction a two-state solution is not in the best interests of the United States.
| | Ambassador Ron Dermer at AIPAC
JoeSettler, blogger for The Jewish Press, reports on a question asked of Ron Dermer, Israel's Ambassador to the United States, at the 2018 AIPAC Conference.
Dan Weiss asked Dermer how he thinks Trump's Jerusalem Declaration will advance peace. Dermer begins his response with a bit of history. Read more HERE.
Dermer also firmly stated that Israel is "dead serious" about enforcing its red lines in Syria.
Watch the full interview HERE. | | Helen Freedman and Judy Kadish at the Yesha Council Event (2018 AIPAC Conference) | | STAY CURRENT. STAY CONNECTED.
| | Wednesday - March 7, 2018 @ 7:30 PM UNRWA: Breeding Ground for Terror UNRWA stands for the United Nations Relief and Work Agency. It operates in Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon. Its official mission is to deliver primary and vocational education. The reality is quite different. Arabic speaking experts, who work for The Center for the Near East Policy and Research, will discuss the Hamas infiltration of UNRWA refugee facilities and how it has affected the books and films shown to children attending UNRWA schools. Free but requires registration. Register HERE
Thursday - March 8, 2018 @ 8 PM Ambassador Ron Dermer in Conversation with Thane Rosenbaum Ron Dermer, the Israeli Ambassador to the United States, has risen to the challenge as an articulate and passionate defender of the Jewish state. Join FOLCS director Thane Rosenbaum for a wide-ranging and timely conversation with Ambassador Dermer. At the 92nd Street Y, 1395 Lexington Avenue, NYC. Tickets from $35. Purchase tickets here.
Monday - March 12, 2018 @ 8 PM Reflections on 35 Years in Israel Yossi Klein Halevi moved to Israel at the beginning of the first Lebanon War in summer 1982 and has lived in Israel for half the life of the state. Yossi will reflect on the radical changes Israel has undergone and will speak personally on why he came and why he stayed. Tickets from $36. Register HERE.
Tuesday - March 13, 2018 @ 7:30 PM - PHILADELPHIA, PA AFSI Is Proud to Sponsor Marc Prowisor "Beyond the Headlines...Behind the Scenes: An Insider View on the Security Situation on the ground in Israel. Mark is a security expert from Israel's Shilo Region and speaks throughout the US. His primary focus is on the strategic and biblicaly significant Judea and Samaria regions that have been a hotbed of terrorist acts of violence against Jews. Free admission. Contact phillyafsi@gmail.com for more info. Held at Kehillas B'nai Shalom / Bensalem Jewish Outreach Center 2446 Bristol Road | Bensalem, PA 19020 Wednesday - March 14, 2018 @ 7 PM Ben Gurion's Epilogue: The Lost Interview See the critically acclaimed film Ben Gurion, Epilogue and hear its improbable backstory. With Dr. Clinton Bailey, prominent anthropologist and interviewer of David Ben Gurion; Alon Ben Gurion, grandson of David Ben Gurion; Yariv Mozer and Yael Perlov, filmmakers Moderated by Ambassador Ido Aharoni. Admission Free. Register Here. For more information contact info@emanuelstreickernyc.org The Temple Emanu-El Streicker Center - 1 East 65th Street, NYC
** Thursday - March 15, 2018 @ 6 PM ** Helen Freedman Receives Aishes Chayil Award at National Council of Young Israel Dinner - Celebrating Israel's 70th Year Guest of Honor Anthony Scaramucci 6 PM - Elegant Buffet Dinner. 7:30 PM Program. Lavish Viennese Dessert. Very Special Rates for AFSI members. AFSI tables are being arranged. Let us know you plan to be with us. | Call AFSI 212-828-2424 or email judy@afsi.org Terrace on the Park, Flushing Meadows Park, NY
Tuesday - March 20, 2018 @ 6:30 PM The Unlikely Nazi Hunters: A Rare Conversation with Serge and Beate Klarsfeld Together, they tracked down Klaus Barbie—the "Butcher of Lyon"—and orchestrated his extradition to France, helped clinch the convictions of former Nazis and their collaborators and documented all 76,000 Jews deported from France. $36 General Admission; $18 Temple Members. Register Here. The Temple Emanu-El Streicker Center - 1 East 65th Street, NYC
Wednesday - March 21, 2018 @ 7:30 PM AFSI Sponsors Israel at 70 Lecture Series. Speaker and location to be announced.
Sunday - April 15, 2018 from 10:30 PM - 8:00 PM Upper West Side Celebrates Israel. Congregation Shearith Israel invites you to celebrate Israel's 70th Yom Ha'Atzmaut with a festival featuring indoor and outdoor activities. For more info contact Hai Piasezky | | Mark Langfan | Chairman Helen Freedman | Co-Executive Director | | | | | | |
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